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Original poster

For those who had a water birth…..

91 replies

TangBloodyFastic · 04/05/2022 11:50

Did it help/offer any relief?

(I wanted to do a poll to keep it simple but don't know how to! 🤷🏻‍♀️)

I thought I was all set on having a pool but now I'm in two minds, can't decide if I'll just get hot and bothered or if it will help keep me relaxed and comfortable

Just want an idea of the % of ladies who found it helped

Many thanks

OP posts:
ButterflyBitch · 04/05/2022 21:18

I had one blissful moment of ‘aah that feels nice’ and then I was pushing and spent the next 15 mins screaming. It was very quick so didn’t really feel much benefit but I can imagine if I’d got in sooner that it would have been lovely. Dd wasn’t going to wait for me to enjoy it though and made her entrance to the world a quick one. You can always plan it and if it doesn’t feel right when you get in then just get out again.

Original poster
TangBloodyFastic · 04/05/2022 21:18

Thank you so much for all your responses - an overwhelming majority of positive feedback!

I have opted for a home birth this time and wasn’t sure if the pool would be a waste of money as previous labour was TENS, g&a and pethidine at the point of transition
I was induced due to waters breaking and not getting to the point of active labour within the 24hr period preferred by the NHS.
4cm>birth 5 hours so am told I am likely to be as quick (if all is textbook as last time) but was stuck to the bed due to being induced and was hoping that being on my knees/upright this time would help make things easier/more comfortable this time.

the ease of manoeuvrability really appeals as, tbh, I’m really fed up of heaving myself around.

I’ve also had a few issues with sciatica this time so was thinking that would not be as affected once in the water too.

im very flexible on my birth plan, I don’t really have one. i’m in the mindset of you can’t plan what will happen but can only hope it goes smoothly. I can’t decide if I want to give birth in the water - I think I’ll just decide on the day and if I’m happy in the water I’ll stay there - if I’m not or medically need to - I’ll get out

OP posts:
ThanksItHasPockets · 04/05/2022 21:26

Sorry to say it was a disaster for me. I got in at 9cm dilated and my contractions stopped dead. I ended up on a syntocinon drip and had an instrumental delivery in theatre.

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Families
WoolyMammoth55 · 04/05/2022 21:31

Hi OP, I used TENS at home and then got in the pool at the MLU when I was progressed. I am a 'water person', love a long bath and long showers! So no surprise it made a huge difference to my pain levels.

They did make me get out after 4 hours as "not progressing", at which point the pain became rapidly unbearable and I pretty much got straight back in and delivered in the water :)

That time of getting back in was so magic, I literally felt my toes unclench as the tension left my body - which is not something I've ever noticed happening before or since!

As well as how soothing it was for the pain, I also loved the privacy, that I could be squatting or mooing or whatever and I had my DH and midwife right there but they couldn't see me - I think it really helped, I'd have been more self-conscious out of the pool (although TBF, by the end I gave absolutely zero fucks about anything except my baby!)

My second was a c-section so that water birth with DS1 is a fantastic and very precious memory.

Best of luck X

Trafficblight · 04/05/2022 21:35

I bloody loved it and found it really helped, but some people who like the idea end up hating it when the time comes. If you're tempted I'd recommend trying to get a pool but not assuming it'll work miracles! I waited until I was really uncomfortable to get in and it felt like instant relief. Of course still painful, but so much more comfortable, I loved bobbing about with the warm water around me and a nice cold drink. I didn't have to get out for obs as they had a doppler or whatever its called that could be used underwater, I would absolutely try for one again if I had another.

LemonDrizzleSlice · 04/05/2022 21:38

I had one at home but it didn't help much, if anything it slowed things down. I got out and laboured in our bedroom.

It was useful to get in afterwards to clean me off though 😆

Twizbe · 04/05/2022 21:46

I loved mine.

I felt relief the moment I got in the water. That with the gas and air I had a few contractions that I didn't even feel.

pitterypattery00 · 04/05/2022 21:51

Overall a positive experience for me but I've only given birth once so nothing to compare it too. I used the pool from when I was about 7/8cm dilated. I had been using a TENS machine (100% recommend that) so was a bit reluctant to remove that but obviously had to to go in pool. I found the warm water comforting, took me a while to find a comfortable position but eventually found being on my knees leaning into side of pool best. Kept using gas and air and doing my breathing techniques/visualisations throughout. In my mind I was only in for about 20mins but in reality I found out later I was in for about an hour and a half. It did slow my contractions down a bit. I came out to be examined - was fully dilated and they said I could go back in to give birth but I chose to give birth on mats on floor.

Roses1221 · 04/05/2022 21:53

Yes it was awesome. Water birth at home, would highly recommend it. The only issue was that it was a pain having to take the TENS machine off as that was an absolute god send for me in both of my labours (I know some people don’t rate them at all!). The privacy it offers is also a bonus, and it gets you into an optimum position for delivery. Having had one land birth and one water birth, I’ve now got this weird feeling about land birth where it sets my teeth on edge thinking about it being ‘dry’. Totally bonkers but I just can’t shift it!

User65412 · 04/05/2022 21:56

Do you have a bath? I couldn't be bothered with sorting a pool and the midwife said just to use the bath! So I laboured in there for a bit before getting out and giving birth on land. I could have had the baby in there though probably not as comfy as a pool! Was a good compromise for me though.

VanillaIce1 · 04/05/2022 22:00

Can you have gas and air in the pool? I've had 3 babies now no pain relief very fast labours. All under half an hour. But I've always been denied a water birth and my births have always been how someone else wants them. I'm pregnant with my 4th and I want a water birth this time but I would like the choice of gas and air? I'm actually contemplating a home birth also so don't know how that would work.

Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals · 04/05/2022 22:05

I had one (years ago now) and thought the pain relief was negligible (had gas and air) until I got out to be examined and was in loads of pain. Got back in as quick as I could - was a great experience and no tears that time because I was so relaxed, I’m sure.

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 04/05/2022 22:06

VanillaIce1 · 04/05/2022 22:00

Can you have gas and air in the pool? I've had 3 babies now no pain relief very fast labours. All under half an hour. But I've always been denied a water birth and my births have always been how someone else wants them. I'm pregnant with my 4th and I want a water birth this time but I would like the choice of gas and air? I'm actually contemplating a home birth also so don't know how that would work.

Yes I did.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 04/05/2022 22:08

I had a home waterbirth and it was an amazing experience. I was offered gas and air but didn’t feel I needed it. I was really relaxed and felt like I could get through the contractions and birth without a lot of support from the midwife or DH - I kind of just went into myself which was a really empowering feeling.

waterrat · 04/05/2022 22:09

I spent most of my first labour in the pool it was amazing. Such a beautiful experience . I was on a midwife led unit on the ward in a normal hospital so when I hit complications I was moved to the other ward

It helped so much with thr pain. Also soooo much more pleasant than lying in a bed under bright lights. Also encourages more active birth positions.

waterrat · 04/05/2022 22:10

I had gas and air the whole time in the pool.

ThreeRingCircus · 04/05/2022 22:14

100% helped with pain relief, instantly felt better when I got in and pool and spent most of it floating on my front or kneeling and leaning forwards on the side to keep myself in a good position.

VanillaIce1 · 04/05/2022 22:29

Has anyone else ever had weird experiences with the gas and air though? Last time I had a baby the midwife let me use it whilst they was breaking my waters with the hook.
I don't know why but I remember I couldn't stop laughing, because I thought the midwife was Micky Flanagan asking me if the babies coming out out and that was it for me. I'm sure they thought I was a lunatic. Still makes me cringe now.

AlistairCamel · 04/05/2022 22:32

I’ve one on land, two in the water. I don’t know how I did the land Birth (well he wouldn’t come out and was forced to in theatre). One of my water births I tried to get out of the pool and it hurt too much so I stopped. Water provided me with so much relief.

AlistairCamel · 04/05/2022 22:33

VanillaIce1 · 04/05/2022 22:00

Can you have gas and air in the pool? I've had 3 babies now no pain relief very fast labours. All under half an hour. But I've always been denied a water birth and my births have always been how someone else wants them. I'm pregnant with my 4th and I want a water birth this time but I would like the choice of gas and air? I'm actually contemplating a home birth also so don't know how that would work.

I’ve had a home water broth with gas and air.

amc8583 · 04/05/2022 22:55

I was 8cm dilated when I got to hospital and opted to get into the birth pool. However for me it completely slowed down my labour. I didn't actually give birth in the pool as my pushing stage was just taking too long and the last 2cm dilation just took too long in the water. I was taken out of the pool after I had crowned and I was exhausted. Fast forward nearly 5 years and I'm overdue with my second. I don't think I'll get into the birthing pool again. Let's see how I go!

happyjules · 05/05/2022 00:34

Two amazing water births here. Getting in both times was instant bliss. Second time I was nearly dozing off inbetween contractions. Midwife wrote in my notes Mum v. Relaxed!.

ReginaFilange001 · 05/05/2022 06:18

My DD was born in water. I loved the experience. I had a fairly normal text book birth by all accounts with no tears so of course I will think it was brilliant.

As to pain relief or if it helped - I used a tens machine until I went into water - not sure it helped but it gave a focus for me and DH to press the button during a contraction.

I had gas and air in the pool until I was ready to do the pushing as it were - then they took it away! I remember being very cross about this. Again I don't know if this helped with pain as such but was a focus.

I enjoyed being in the water where noone could touch me or prod me or see me as such. It felt private even tough DH and midwife were there. I felt intensely powerful giving birth because I felt in control. I could get into what ever position I liked and felt comfortable in and the water enabled that a bit.

For me I'm not sure the water was a pain relief as such but the combined factors helped me feel in control and able to deal with it if that makes sense. My description of the pain of giving birth is that it felt like waves of intense pain giving over to lower levels of constant pain - and pain different to anything I had ever experienced.

Good luck with your pregnancy and birth - my main advice to anyone is to have a loose plan of what you would like to happen but to be aware of what could happen, so that you feel prepared - make sure your DH, partner, birth partner know this as well as when you are in pain or confused you need them to advocate for you.

reluctantbrit · 05/05/2022 07:52

I. was in the pool for labour but gave birth on dry land thanks to DD. turning during labour and the midwife. not happy. with heartbeat.

The water was amazing, I only realised the actual effect when I had to go out and the contractions hit. I had gas and air in the pool as well though.

I wasn't concerned about privacy to be honest but then I. gave birth stark naked as I couldn't even have a sheet over me.

Mangogogogo · 05/05/2022 07:56

I had two water births and shit, the pain when I had to pop out to be checked was so much worse than in the water!

i hate soaking in the bath and swimming and just generally being wet for longer than it takes me to clean myself but I absolutely loved it. No stitches no grazing no ‘ring sting’ that people talk about! (Though that could all be a coincidence as I also Labour extremely fast)

i say 100% recommend!